Proverbs 27:23-27 commentary; work hard and work smart

23 ¶ Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. 24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? 25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. 26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. 27 And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Christians are told to not be slothful in business in Romans 12:11. These Proverbs encouraged the Hebrew of old and the Christian today to work hard and to work smart. We are not to take things for granted, even in faith, but to apply ourselves to our employments, whether they be for our own business or under the authority of someone else.

Farmers of old were fairly self sufficient producing almost everything they needed to clothe, feed, and house themselves and their families. Of course, they had no expectations of cheap, plastic junk made in China or cell phones, computers, televisions, etc. like we do today.

Our work ethic is given in many verses but with regard to our employments it is specifically said;

1 Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

The more self sufficient you are, the better for you. We all can’t be completely self reliant but our efforts should be toward being as debt free as possible and capable of producing something useful that we can rely on to help sustain us. Being dependent on others or a government is not a good testimony for the Christian. There are circumstances where we have no choice but to lean on the help of other people but our efforts from a very young age should be to work hard, prepare for our old age, and to give our children the best start in life we can provide, both spiritually and physically. Sadly, in our consumer culture since World War II we tend to view being entertained and experiencing pleasure as a need and a vital necessity so much of our earned money is spent on those two frivolous pursuits which tend to make us unprepared for the realities of life and eventually make us dependent on others for support.

Young people, work hard and work smart, say no to yourself at least once a day, take your entertainments and pleasures as a treat to yourself and not a daily need, put away money for your own old age, and teach your children to be as self reliant and disciplined as is possible for you to teach. Just remember your needs; your wants won’t kill you. Never spend money you don’t have. Finally, remember;

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.